Self Defense Calibers-How Much Is To Much

Then there is the political questions I suppose, I have read about prosecutors that tried to use the gun/caliber against a defensive shooter in court harping on the “over powerful for people” combo. Most often I think the 10mm gets that rap and can be used by an unscrupulous DA trying for a cheap win. Anybody have to consider this side of the coin when they CCW?
 
If it's to heavy and bulky for you to carry everywhere you go or the recoil makes you tear up and want to stop shooting after the third round then it's to big. What you can hit with reliably and don't mind carrying is optimum even if it isn't listed as one of the worlds top 3 tank busting calibers.
 
On that political question.....I agree with Sulaco2.....
for CCW I'll carry my trustee ol' Colt SAA 45 Sheriff
which I practice ALOT with. I wonder how they'd
handle that.....? :)
 
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I was thinking that something that is going to kill, injure or damage something other than the intended target is too much.

A person with reasonable knowledge of handguns and ammunition would know that a S&W 500 with FMJ is going to go right through someone and whoever is behind them and whoever else in the line of fire - proably 3 deep.

That's what I consider too much.

The same type of scenarios could be created using some shotgun ammo...
 
For me, it's #1 Shot placement, then #2 Target Re-acquisition for 2nd and subsequent shots

For home defense I chose the Ruger GP100 .357 Mag. At 2 lbs the handgun manages the recoil nicely and gets me back on target quickly. I can handle the weight for several reloads, enough to neutralize most threats I would anticipate.

For CCW it's the Glock 36 and/or the S &W Bodyguard 380. The BG 380 is great for deep conceal but the recoil is more brisk than the Ruger due to it's weight. The Glock gives me the firepower and, well, I just love the .45 ACP Glock 36!
 
How much is to much? If somebody find themselves coming up with reasons/excuses for not carrying or leaving their CC gun in car, it's to much. Time to find something that will be carried and practiced with until they become proficient with it. Like the man said, The 22 in the pocket is a lot better than the 44 mag. at home.
 
I am no expert but........curious about today's philosophy

Maybe I am reading this wrong but I am wondering who is posting while thinking SD out and about or at home. Obviously, very different.

I was taught (and I am outdated) that a heavy caliber was a poor SD especially in your own home or apartment. Buckshot lost more kill power after going thru 2 layers of sheetrock than a magnum.

Also, how many shots would one really get off in the middle of the night. Seems like I would be blind after 1 shot.

All that said, I have always counted on a 12 gauge with #4 buckshot as that is what the military recommended back in the day and if I only get one shot, I don't want to miss.

Just my 'old school thinking'. I am not claiming any of the above to be fact, just what I was taught /read and is my opinion.

Would like to know why others think a 357 or 44 mag is a good choice for the bedside table. (if that is what they do at home)
 
Probably anything bigger than a sawed-off 12 gauge is gonna be problematic. 20 gauge is perfectly manageable, 12 gauge gets iffy, a 10 gauge shortened for CCW is probably going to put you in the hospital.
 
I dont cc. I've never felt the need to. HOWEVER, at home I'll usu have my S&W940-9mm, 19, or Judge(w/small shotshell) at the ready. Larger rounds such as 45(ACP,LC,or GAP) are just too heavy for my taste in a home setting. I want to minimize all of the factors that may delay follow-up shots. I've test-fired in home-simulation. And Ive found that smaller calibers work to my benefit.I alternate between .38 and .357 in the Model19. Most of the time its .38.
 
IF YOUR GOING TO SHOOT SOMEONE IN SELF DEFENCE.
SHOOT TO KILL.

Otherwise....Don't own or have a firearm.

I prefer the .40S&W Winchester LE JHP in the fall/winter months.
And the .380acp JHP Hydra Shock in summer/spring months.

Home Defence - 12 Gauge XXBuck Shot
 
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You NEVER shoot to kill Graysmoke, you shoot to stop the illegal actions being taken to you, that far and NO farther. When the assault stops you stop no matter the condition of the criminal. That quote will get get you in a heep of trouble no matter what the facts of a defensive shooting maybe. Cop lawyers pound that into their heads day and night. This is the real world of lawyers and courts not Halo...
 
Maybe I am reading this wrong but I am wondering who is posting while thinking SD out and about or at home. Obviously, very different.

I was taught (and I am outdated) that a heavy caliber was a poor SD especially in your own home or apartment. Buckshot lost more kill power after going thru 2 layers of sheetrock than a magnum.

Also, how many shots would one really get off in the middle of the night. Seems like I would be blind after 1 shot.

All that said, I have always counted on a 12 gauge with #4 buckshot as that is what the military recommended back in the day and if I only get one shot, I don't want to miss.

Just my 'old school thinking'. I am not claiming any of the above to be fact, just what I was taught /read and is my opinion.

Would like to know why others think a 357 or 44 mag is a good choice for the bedside table. (if that is what they do at home)
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For home defense I am 100% - a 12 ga, especially one configured for home defense (shorter barrel, pistol grip, flashlight attachment) can't be beat. The one-shot limit might be a little conservative, but the idea is spot-on. The perceived need for 17 rounds isn't supported by any statistics -- it is exceedingly rare that any defender in any situation actually fires more than 5 rounds, and 1 or 2 is the vast majority of cases.

On the other hand, if you own a .44Mag there's nothing wrong with that on the bed-side table (perhaps loaded with Specials). A bit more skill, and therefore practice, is needed to be competent with it.

I keep a pump-action by my front door, a S&W M&P40 with laser by my bed, and both a Governor and a 9mm in my car. I have several big bores / magnums but those live in the safe.
 
When I first got my CHL (and for the next 6-7 years), I tried a lot of different things.

These days, I carry a .45 acp 1911 in the summer, and a .45 LC S&W N-frame in the winter.

I'm satisfied with a .45 caliber bullet in either platform, and I shoot each fairly well.

I also own a 1911 in 10mm and an S&W N-frame in .41 Mag. Given the time and ammo to practice with them, I would not hesitate to carry either.
 
Agree

"You NEVER shoot to kill Graysmoke, you shoot to stop the illegal actions being taken to you, that far and NO farther. When the assault stops you stop no matter the condition of the criminal. That quote will get get you in a heep of trouble no matter what the facts of a defensive shooting maybe. Cop lawyers pound that into their heads day and night. This is the real world of lawyers and courts"

When the threat is stopped the shooting stops. Agree 100% I'm not trying to kill, I'm trying to stop. When stop has been achieved I'll call 911, administer first aid etc.
 
Reduced Loads

If you own something like a .44 Magnum and wish to use it for home defense or CCW, the .44 Magnum is a joy to shoot using 240 grain Keith type semi-wadcutters loaded to about 1000 FPS, Recoil is on a par with the 1911 but in my Super blackhawk, it feels like a .38 wadcutter.

I'm guessing that factory loads in .45 LC or .44 SPL are loaded to modest velocities in deference to the many older guns still in use and not built for high pressure loads. These rounds had no difficulty providing work for undertakers and grave diggers back in their day.
 
For me, anything bigger than 45acp /40S&W (they kick about the same) is too much for rapid controlled fire. Plus, anything bigger would be darn impossible to lug around routinely.

I usually carry a .380, and never feel undergunned, especially since I always have an extra mag.

Course, ideally we'd all be carrying around rifles/carbines in our calibers of choice, then the game changes! :D
 
The .45 Colt or .45 acp would be the largest cartridge I'd carry for self defense. The 9mm or .38 special seem to be the cartridges I choose most often.
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Agreed, I had a friend once tell me they used a .44 Mag. I told him, "that's a bit much Harry!"
 
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